Culture, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Markets and Companies

According to the auction organizers, the item is valued at 1,300-1,500 euros. The current highest bid is 800 euros.

The Order of Merit of the Cross of Terra Mariana, Collar Class, was established in 1995. Under its statutes, it is bestowed on all presidents of Estonia. To date, it has been bestowed upon Lennart Meri, Arnold Ruutel and Toomas Hendrik Ilves, speaking of heads of state, Postimees said.

The order is also bestowed by the president on foreign nationals as the highest recognition of the Estonian state for merits rendered to Estonia. It has been bestowed by the president of Estonia on several foreign heads of state, including Queen Elizabeth II and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, as well as other foreign dignitaries, during state visits.

The Estonian law on state decorations says that the purchase, sale, exchange or other transfer for a charge of a national decoration, as well as the wearing of the decoration by a person who is not entitled to do so, is punishable by a fine of up to 300 fine units. The same act, when committed by a legal person, is punishable by a fine of up to 2,000 euros.